I was boating offshore when an unexpected situation quickly turned serious. What began as a routine trip changed in a matter of moments, and it soon became clear that my boat had been destroyed and that my injuries were life threatening. In that moment there was no time to hesitate. I activated my beacon and focused on staying calm and making the best decisions I could while waiting for help to arrive.

Once the beacon was activated, I concentrated on conserving my energy and remaining alert while the rescue response began. Knowing that the distress signal had been sent gave me the reassurance that help was on the way, even in a situation where every minute felt critical.

The NYPD and the U.S. Coast Guard responded quickly and did an incredible job bringing the situation to a safe conclusion. Their professionalism and speed made all the difference, and my EPIRB worked exactly the way it was supposed to when it mattered most.

I am extremely thankful for the responders who came to help and for the technology that made that response possible. Experiences like this remind you just how important preparation really is and how valuable reliable emergency equipment can be when the unexpected happens.